New structure brings about evolution for AWBC
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) has undertaken a review process over recent months to streamline its operations which has led to tough decisions being made and changes to its structure. The total number of staff has been reduced to 38 after seven roles within its Adelaide office were made redundant, including Lawrie Stanford, manager of information and analysis, and Jock Osborne, senior executive and former acting chief executive, both of whom had served the AWBC for more than 12 years. Chief executive Andrew Cheesman acknowledged the services of Stanford and Osborne, saying “they both made an enormous contribution to the Corporation and the industry in that time”. Prior to joining the AWBC in June 2009 following several years in executive roles with Lion Nathan Wine, Cheesman said that based on stakeholder feedback, the AWBC was perceived as being “bureaucratic” and not responsive to its industry stakeholders. “One of the first things I wanted to do in the role as chief executive, consistent with the previous NOS review, was to contribute to the simplification of the national operating structure of the industry’s peak representative bodies, including AWBC, Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and Wine Grape Growers’ Australia,” Cheesman said. “From my time working on the other side of the industry, I understood that levy payers wanted to be certain that there was no duplication and waste. The industry expects the four national bodies to work efficiently and cooperatively to maximise services and address priorities.” The AWBC’s priority is to improve the market environment for Australian wine by maximising its investment into Wine Australia’s market development strategy. “A commercially aware and customer-focussed culture at the AWBC is essential to meet the needs of our industry stakeholders,” Cheesman said.